Purchasing a forend for a Colt M-4

[ar15barrels]

DD advertises the Omega as a "true free float" rail. Is this true? I'm not sure how they pull that off if it is attached between the delta ring and the end cap.

It attaches ONLY to the barrel nut, NOT to the handguard cap.

[99medic]

This debate will go on and on just like the Glock and 1911 debate.

But, it all breaks down to personal preference, and the type of use the rail is intended to do.

Free float rails are perfect for long distance rifles, where sling tension on the barrel affects accuracy.

On short range rifles where you are shooting less than 300M a regular rail will suffice. (IE. Knights Armament, SureFire).

Hope this helps.

[shark92651]

It attaches ONLY to the barrel nut, NOT to the handguard cap.

Yet the delta ring stays in place? Interesting, I'd like to see one up close.

[RECCE556]

This debate will go on and on just like the Glock and 1911 debate. But, it all breaks down to personal preference, and the type of use the rail is intended to do.

Not necessarily true. There are quantifiable difference between the rail systems. For one, consistency of machining, overall quality, weight, strength, mounting method, etc., etc.

Free float rails are perfect for long distance rifles, where sling tension on the barrel affects accuracy. On short range rifles where you are shooting less than 300M a regular rail will suffice. (IE. Knights Armament, SureFire).

While this is true, with the advent of the Omega rail (and some others), why wouldn't you get a free-floated rail? Why wouldn't you get a rail where the top rail is the same height as the receiver rail? Why wouldn't you get a rail with a better, more secure mounting method? Why wouldn't you get a lighter rail? Why wouldn't you get a oval rail that more naturally fits in the hand?

There is DEFINITELY a difference in the rail systems and it goes beyond personal preference. If you really want to pick the rail that fits your needs, the FIRST thing you need to do is take the price out of the equation. People tend to focus and price (high or low) and convince themselves that the shortcomings of the rail systems aren't that big of a deal because they "only" paid this much (cheap rails) or "because" they paid that much (high priced rails).

IMO, out of the rails I've tried and personally installed (and you name it, I've either owned it or installed it), for a "no-gunsmith" rail, the DD Omega is the best for now. For a full replacement rail, I find the DD Lite rails to be the best for now. There are other rails out there that are good but the features offered by the DD rails are unsurpassed IMO. I still have some other rails in my collection (KAC, PRI, LaRue are the only survivors) but those will get phased out soon enough (except the PRI which is on my SPR MK12MOD0 and that's staying as it is)...

[ar15barrels]

why wouldn't you get a free-floated rail? Why wouldn't you get a rail where the top rail is the same height as the receiver rail? Why wouldn't you get a rail with a better, more secure mounting method? Why wouldn't you get a lighter rail? Why wouldn't you get a oval rail that more naturally fits in the hand?

There is DEFINITELY a different in the rail systems and it goes beyond personal preference. If you really want to pick the rail that fits your needs, the FIRST thing you need to do is take the price out of the equation. People tend to focus and price and convince themselves that the shortcomings of the cheaper rail systems aren't that big of a deal. Of course, a higher price doesn't mean it's better (eg: ARMS rails).

This is exactly why I recommend people come over and feel the different rails before they buy.
I had a customer come over and he was sold on the YHM so we built up his upper.
Before he leaves, he feels one of the Daniel Defense rails and it was so much better feeling that he had me take the upper back apart and install a Daniel Defense rail instead.
He was over tonight having me put together another upper so he wife could have an identical one for christmas.

Spend the money for the good stuff.
You only cry once, but you will be smiling for years.

[jandmtv]

hey im living proof that feeling a quality rail and a cheap rail in your hand will make you fork over the extra cash for the expensive one over the cheap one!

i now have 2 ARs, a 20" and a 16" middy, and they both have Daniel Defense M4 rails. i refuse to use anything other than Daniel Defense for any of my builds.

Thanx again Randall!

[maxicon]

I don't have a YHM, but reports tend to be a bit mixed on them. There was a recent thread on arfcome where a user posted pics of his YHM FF Lite handguard, which had 2 problems - the rail was broken at one end, and the hole for the anti-rotate pin had egged out, allowing free play. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=353201

The only complaint I've heard about the DD Omega is that it can be hard to get handguard covers on and off past the handguard end cap.

I have an MI, but haven't installed it yet.

[bobfried]

What Randall saids.

It sure as heck isn't even close to being a 1911 vs. Glock thing. More like the RIGHT answer vs. the WRONG answer. It took me 2 years to settle on the MRP as that's what I was looking for. I recently built up a rifle for a friend that did not want the MRP so went on the hunt for different rails.

I bough a used Colt upper with a YHM rail installed and convinced myself that it wouldn't matter. That is until I got to Randall's shop, I was not the person he mentioned but I was in the same situation and ended up going with the Larue. That decision was based on cost, features and what I felt was the most appropriate choice for the person. There is absolutely no comparision betwen the YHM and something like a Larue, if you think there is than you must be smoking something really strong.

And there is no argument between FF or non-FF. The question is akin to if you like a quality reliable car versus one that isn't. You can justify it all you want and say it doesn't matter, but in the end it has nothing to do with personal preference and more to do with your wallet. FF is the only choice if you want the best, non-FF is a viable option but what limit yourself when a qulity FF is only slightly more money than a quality non-FF.

[ar15barrels]

What Randall saids.

I bough a used Colt upper with a YHM rail installed and convinced myself that it wouldn't matter. That is until I got to Randall's shop, I was not the person he mentioned but I was in the same situation and ended up going with the Larue.

Am I the ultimate no-pressure salesman or what?

That box has YHM.
That box has Daniel Defense.
That box has JP and DPMS.
That box has LaRue.
That box has Troy and MI.
Play with all of them and let me know what you like...